---
title: Resignation
description: "**Resignation – ending your approval thoughtfully and safely** *(full guidance in the **Resignation & Transferring Policy / Procedure**) Deciding to step away from fostering is significant for you, the agency and—most importantly—the children in placement. The law gives carers the…"
url: "https://handbook.co.uk/docs/resignation/"
updated: "2025-08-13"
category: Foster Carer Handbook
tags:
  - Resignation and Transferring
---

# Resignation

**Resignation – ending your approval thoughtfully and safely**

*(full guidance in the **Resignation & Transferring Policy / Procedure**)

Deciding to step away from fostering is significant for you, the agency and—most importantly—the children in placement. The law gives carers the right to resign with **28 days’ written notice**, but best practice is to talk first, plan carefully and keep children’s transitions smooth.

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**1 | Talk before you write**

1. **Speak to your Supervising Social Worker (SSW)** as soon as the idea arises.
2. **Request a meeting with the Team Manager or another senior manager** to explore any solvable issues—support needs, respite, training gaps, household changes.
3. **Consider timing:** Can you stay until a school term ends, therapy block finishes or Staying-Put offer begins?

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**2 | Children in placement – two routes**

| **Situation** | **Agency expectation** |
| --- | --- |
| **You can keep the child until the Care Plan’s natural end** | Ideal; offers the child continuity and lets professionals plan calmly. |
| **You cannot continue** (health, family crisis, immediate transfer) | Give as much notice as possible; work with the SSW and child’s social worker so the child understands the move and can say goodbye well. |

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**3 | Transfer to another agency**

A national **Transfer Protocol** applies whether or not a child is placed. Your SSW will:

- share training records and panel minutes (with your consent);
- liaise with the receiving agency and Local Authority;
- ensure the child’s Care Plan and Delegated Authority documents follow them.

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**4 | Submitting formal notice**

- Send a signed letter or email stating, “I / we give 28 days’ notice of resignation as foster carers.”
- The clock starts the day the agency receives the notice; approval ends automatically after 28 days.
- **No legal mechanism exists to withdraw notice.** If you change your mind, a fresh assessment must take place before approval can be reinstated.

Both carers in a partnership must sign.

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**5 | Post-resignation tasks**

- Return confidential records to the agency.
- Securely dispose of any medication belonging to past placements.
- Retain personal tax and training documents (HMRC requires six-year retention).
- The agency notifies your home Local Authority that your approval has ceased.

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**6 | Emotional closure**

Leaving fostering can feel like loss as well as relief. Use exit supervision, peer support groups or counselling to process mixed emotions—and celebrate the sparks you ignited in children’s lives.

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**Key points to remember**

1. **Talk first, write second.**
2. **28 days’ written notice is irrevocable.**
3. **Children’s welfare drives the timetable.**
4. **Transfers follow a national protocol—your SSW will guide you.**

For step-by-step detail refer to the **Resignation & Transferring Policy and Procedure** or speak to your SSW.